The icon of the Last Judgment is very important and significant in Orthodoxy. It depicts scenes that will happen after the second coming of Jesus Christ. It is believed that then each person will appear before the judge, and each will receive according to his deeds and merits.
The emergence of the plot of the icon and the first images
What can be said about the origins of this plot in Christianity? It is believed that for the first time these compositions began to appear on the walls of the temple in the Byzantine Empire before the iconoclastic period. They date from the fourth century. The first images described the parable of the ten virgins, as well as the separation of goats and sheep (sinners and the righteous). Only by the eighth century in Byzantium was an image formed, which later became canonical. So the icon of the Last Judgment appeared.
In Russia, these images existed almost from the very beginning of baptism and were of particular importance for the Orthodox.
What influenced the appearance of the plot
In many ways, the plot of the icon of the Last Judgment was taken from the Gospel and the Apocalypse, as well as from other ancient books of Byzantium and Russia, such as: the Word of Palladium Mnikh, the Word of Ephraim the Syrian, the Life of Basil the New, etc. Also, the revelations of John the Theologian had a significant impact on him. .
One of the important sources by which the icon of the Last Judgment was written was the revelation of the prophet Daniel. His visions are generally considered significant in Orthodoxy, as described in the corresponding book of the prophet. Some of the motives from it were taken for the plot of the icon of the Last Judgment, namely those that spoke of the end of the world and the coming of Jesus.
The plot of the icon of the Last Judgment in Russia
In Russia, this plot was first recorded in the XII century on the walls of the Cyril Monastery, which is located in Kiev. At the end of the same century, the same images appeared in St. George's Cathedral, in the Church of the Savior Nereditsa and Dmitrov Cathedral. And this is not accidental, since it is believed that it was this image that affected Prince Vladimir, who initiated the baptism of Russia. This fact is mentioned in The Tale of Bygone Years.
The early icon of the Last Judgment depicted not only the court itself, but also the scenes of the Apocalypse, which were subsequently divided. The first images of the plot did not have clearly fixed moments in certain places of the icon, since, for example, animals from the prophecy of Daniel. Only by the XVI-XVII century did each detail of the plot gain its place.
Plot description
The very composition of the image of the Last Judgment is very rich in characters and events. In general, the icon “The Last Judgment", the description of which is quite extensive, consists of three registers. Each of them has its own place.
Usually in the upper part of the icon is an image of Jesus, on both sides of which are the apostles. All of them participate in the trial. The lower part of the icon is occupied by trumpeting angels who convene everyone.
Next, under the image of Jesus is the throne (Etymasia). This is the judicial throne, on which a spear, cane, sponge, gospel can be placed . This is an important detail in this composition, which subsequently becomes an independent symbol.
The lower part of the image tells what will happen to the righteous and sinners who will pass the Last Judgment of God. The icon is divided here. To the right of Christ, you can see the righteous who are moving to Paradise, as well as the Virgin, angels and the Garden of Eden. To the left of Christ is hell, sinners and demons, as well as Satan.
These two parts of the icon in the established plot can be separated by a fiery river or a snake. The latter is depicted with a meandering body through the entire icon, and its tail is lowered into hell. Snake rings are often called after tribulations (fornication, drunkenness, etc.).
Story interpretation
The icon of the Last Judgment, the interpretation of which may seem creepy to someone, has its own meaning for believers. According to the Divine plan, the deeds of every person who has ever lived on earth will be reviewed at the Last Judgment, which will be chaired by Jesus Christ, the son of God. This will happen during his Second Coming.
After the trial, a person will have a direct road to either hell or paradise, according to his actions. It is believed that this is a special moment in the renewal of the world, the soul can forever connect with God or forever go to the devil. However, the essence of the composition is not to intimidate a person, but to reflect on his actions committed by sins. Also, do not despair and lose hope, you just need to repent and begin to change.
Ancient images of the Last Judgment that have survived to this day
Several ancient images have survived to this day, which have been preserved as paintings in temples. For example, in Thessaloniki, in the church of Panagia Chalkeon, the painting dates from 1028, in Sinai, in the monastery of St. Catherine, two icons of the Last Judgment are preserved. Also in London, in the Victoria and Albert Museum, there is an ivory plate with this image, in Venice in the Basilica of Torcello a mosaic with this theme is made.
There are also ancient images in Russia. For example, in the Moscow Kremlin of the Assumption Cathedral is the earliest icon of the Last Judgment (photo below). Also, such paintings can be found in some temples (they were mentioned above).
Words of the Saints about the Last Judgment
Much has been said about the Last Judgment, both in the scriptures and in the utterances of the saints. Many people kept this image before their eyes in order to see the consequences of sins and spiritual neglect.
St. Theophan the Recluse spoke of the constant preparation for the Second Coming of the Lord, not thinking about when it will be. He believed that this would certainly happen, but when it was unknown.
St. John also believed that there is nothing to guess when the last day will happen, but there are terrible portents of the imminent end. These are various misfortunes and destruction, wars and famines. Man himself will change, forget the laws of God. At this time, sins and evil will multiply.
So, all the Holy Fathers considered it important to remember the Second Coming and the Last Judgment. The icon with this image clearly helped in this, because its compositional series is designed in such a way as to see everything clearly and in detail (the heavenly bliss of the righteous and the hellish torments of sinners).
The plot of the Last Judgment in the paintings of artists
So, as you can see, for believing Christians is a very important composition, which depicts the Last Judgment. The icon and painting on the walls of temples is not the only where this theme manifested itself. She was and is very popular with artists. This is a rather vivid topic, which has found its place in painting.
For example, Michelangelo has a fresco made on this subject. She is in the Sistine Chapel. Although it was an order from the pope, the painter himself performed it in his own way. Naked bodies are depicted on it, the anatomy of men is openly described. This further led to conflict.
Also very famous is the triptych of Jerome Bosch. This is a very strong picture, which in some way affects the beholder. It is believed that no one, except Bosch, subsequently failed to convey in such a way that no one living saw with their own eyes. The plot in the picture is divided into three parts. In the center is the image of the court itself, on the left is paradise, and on the right is hell. Each composition is very realistic.
Of course, these are not all the brush masters who used the bible story of the Last Judgment in their paintings. Many were inspired by apocalyptic compositions, after which they tried to create their own vision of this. Not everyone adhered to biblical moments, showing their imagination. Thus, there were many variations of the Last Judgment, which were far from the canons.
Image of Vasnetsov’s brush
Viktor Vasnetsov at one time created many paintings on a religious theme. One of them was the fresco of the Last Judgment in the Kiev Vladimir Cathedral, as well as in St. George's Cathedral.
The icon of the Last Judgment of Vasnetsov in the Kiev Cathedral appeared first. In writing, the author did not use the already established canons, so the image looks somewhat theatrical, although it is built on the basis of biblical and patristic texts. In the center of the composition is an angel who holds the scales in his hand. On one side of it are sinners and fiery hell, in which they, in fact, fall. On the other side are the praying righteous.
As you can see in the image, among the sinners are the rich, kings, people of the spiritual class. The author wanted to show by this that before God all are equal at the moment of truth. For all people there will be a fair decision in the last hour. At the top of the image is the Lord himself, who holds the gospel and the cross. Next to him is the Mother of God and John the Baptist.
The second was painted canvas for St. George's Cathedral. Its plot remained unchanged and, according to many who saw the picture for the first time, made a stunning impression. It was this painting that had a turbulent history during the Soviet Union. At the sunset of its existence, the picture was hardly reconstructed and returned to its old place.
Rublev brush image
Another famous work of the Last Judgment was Rublev's fresco, which is depicted in the Moscow Assumption Cathedral. There were many of his paintings, in addition to this. Many were executed together with Daniil Cherny. In some details, the author departed from tradition, especially when the icon of the Last Judgment was written. Rublev portrayed those people who came to court, not at all suffering, but hoping for mercy.
By the way, all the looks on the fresco are very spiritual and sublime. In this difficult time, too many events took place that contributed to the revival of human spirituality.
Thus, the fresco made a very light impression and carried hope. This led to the fact that the person did not feel fear from the upcoming trial, but represented its reigning justice. Of course, to our times it has not been fully preserved, but what remains so far is striking in its depth.